August 2014 marks 10 years of blogging out of my 17+ years in business. What a fun milestone! 😀
10 full years of blogging... and I haven't run out of things to say yet. LOL. People who know me would laugh. I can be a real talker when I get on a roll. 😉
Interestingly, I'm a true introvert. While I'm not shy (anymore), I am definitely introverted - which is why working online has suited me so well. I can be as social as I please, and talk/blog away, all from my "comfort zone". We live in amazing times full of incredible opportunities - for anyone, anywhere!
I started out broke and clueless just like everyone else, and had to figure things out along the way, through MUCH trial and error. I now make a 6-figure income online and from home and have a fabulous lifestyle.
My Life As A Blogger...
I'm single, so my online business is the sole source of income for my family. In addition to a fun and rewarding career, I was able to be a full-time parent to my two children. I quit my last job in 1996 and have been working online/from home for more than 17 years now. The children were 5 months and 5 years old when I started. They're now turning 18 and 23. I just sent my youngest off to college (with no financial aid/grants/etc, just "bank of mom" 😛 lol). A proud moment indeed...
People often ask me how many hours I work in a week. The truth is, I have no idea. The lines between work and play have come so blurred at this point that it would be hard to calculate.
A lot of my "work" is mobile while I'm traveling the world, eating at interesting places, meeting cool new people, hiking, camping, skiing - you name it.
I'm sitting by a pool in Orlando, Florida as I write to you now. To me it's like having a conversation with friends over coffee (or wine, but I'm actually enjoying a coffee on this beautiful evening). 😀
I love to be at home - and when I am, I'm a total homebody - but I also love to travel. Most of all, I love having the freedom and flexibility to do either, or whatever I please whenever the mood strikes me. I can "pick up my laptop and go" on a whim, fly to Australia for the weekend (crazy yes, but that was a fun trip!), or hang out on the back deck with my two goofy danes for days on end.
The Secret To My Success
My oldest child had special needs, which required me to be home full time and even home school for a few years. Let me clarify, too: I am NOT one of those super-moms. The idea of home schooling my children scared me to death 😯 lol. But there's nothing I wouldn't do for those two awesome kids.
I knew from the start that my son was "different", but it wasn't until he started school at almost 6 years old that it all came together. I sent him to kindergarten, and they sent him straight to the 4th grade. Three years later they tested him out of school altogether, at the age of nine.
He's a total whiz kid, a true genius, which of course came with it's challenges. He had grand mal seizures from the sheer amount of brain wave activity, for example.
Zack has been self employed before he was even employable. He also works from home as a brilliant 22-year old programmer, and just launched a startup called SmartDepart.com which was featured on Fox Business earlier this month.
He was a bit of a challenge to raise.
That was a major understatement. lol.
I remember the first time my daughter made a "C" in school. She was distraught over that grade. I hugged her tight and said "The fact that you're average is what I love most about you." 😀 While she's bright and beautiful and smart, my children are complete opposites in most ways - which always made for an interesting dynamic. Between the two of them... I had it all!
It was just the three of us after my (unexpected) divorce in 2000. I had to do a complete reboot on my life *and* business. I actually had a great job offer that year, but it came at a time when my son was going through a particularly hard time - and I simply needed to be home full-time for him.
I made it work.
I pushed myself night and day, 14 hours a day 7 days a week even. Whatever it took to get back on my feet and find some balance between being a provider and being a parent. I was the only provider OR parent they had. I had no choice.
I blame them for all of my success. 😉
Without those challenges, who knows what path our lives would have taken, or how things would have turned out. We're all happy, healthy, and exactly where we want to be in our lives - and moving forward. What an accomplishment! My best achievement ever, for sure. 😀
I think on it often, actually. I suppose I could have kept my job back in the 90's, continued to struggle, maybe I would have eventually gotten a better paying job - but would I have been able to continue working once my son became ill? I doubt it. And then what? I shudder to think...
I'm certainly not suggesting you need such harsh challenges to be successful. My life was anything but easy. That said, I do recommend you challenge yourself. Go out on a limb. Put yourself in a situation where you really have to push yourself.
10 Things I've Learned in 10 Years of Blogging
I started blogging in August 2004 and truthfully, I didn't have a clue where it would lead me or even what my objective was. It was the hot thing at the time, and so like most "hot things" I dove in and tested it out. And here we are, 10 years later. 😀
With a full decade under my belt (which I've had to tighten up by the way, thanks to my other blog -lol), I thought I'd share some things I've learned along the way...
1. Don't worry if you suck at blogging. You get better with practice (and feedback). I say this from personal experience. Some of my early work really sucked. lol.
2. It gets easier the more you do it. No amount of studying, researching or procrastinating will make it any easier - or make you any faster at it. Put your fingers to the keyboard (consistently) and figure out your flow.
3. Forget perfection. It doesn't exist.
4. Don't try to be The Lone Blogger. Remove the word "competitors" from your vocabulary. Other bloggers in your niche can be a HUGE asset.
5. Stop writing, Start talking. Articles are boring. Have a conversation with your audience. Ever notice how responding to forum threads or emails is SO much easier than blogging? Get in that same "response mode" when you sit down to blog.
It makes a big difference. 😉
6. Go to business or niche-related events when you can, or at least local meet-ups. Also find a great virtual mastermind group, or join smaller online groups of like-minded people. (On that note, read this.)
7. There is no one right way to do things. There's only YOUR way. Figure out what works for you, and do that. But don't get too comfortable. Constantly test and tweak, and push yourself to improve on what you're doing and how you're doing it.
8. Do more of what's working, and less of what's not.
9. Forget "making money online". Instead, focus on building an awesome business that makes money. There's a difference. Focus on creating a lifestyle you'll ENJOY through your business, and serving a market. That's the key to a sustainable business with long-term profit potential, which is exactly what you want.
10. BACK UP EVERYTHING. Seriously. Sh*t happens. Be prepared.
Oh - and one last tip: "Google Proof" your business. You don't live in a zoo, and your website(s) shouldn't either. 😉
I just ran out of coffee, so we should wrap this up...
I've spent this month reflecting on what's worked well with my blogs & business over the last decade, and what direction I want to take things from here. I've also been doing A LOT of traveling. The "empty nest" phase is proving to be FUN so far. 😀
I'm really excited about work and life both, and all the great opportunities to explore.
Leverage My Blogging Experience!
With over 17 years in business, and 10 years blogging, I have a lot of experience to share and stories to tell! I'm currently available to do text interviews, podcast interviews, or to work with you to create fresh new content for YOUR audience.
I teach my own method for successful blogging through weekly training modules at Niche Success Blueprint. (I just totally updated the sales page, so be sure to check it out!) I have an affiliate program for NSB that pays 50% commission instantly via paypal, which would be a great way to monetize an interview with me. 😉
Sign up for the Affiliate Program Here
I'm actively looking for Affiliates and JV Partners to work closely with, so feel free to get in touch with me if you have ideas you want to brainstorm.
If you haven't already reviewed the Niche Success Blueprint, but want to promote it, download these four modules free as a preview. That will give you a GREAT idea of what to expect, and the quality of the training.
NSB has been a real highlight of my 10th year blogging, by the way. I really enjoy sharing all of my methods & strategies - and live examples from my own niche blog - and getting amazing feedback about the results people are getting!
* Seriously, I'm out_of_coffee and now it's crazy late to boot 😛 so I'll close with this question for you...
How long have YOU been blogging, and what do you find MOST challenging about it? Leave a comment below. Let's talk! 😉
Best,
p.s. If you want to get in touch with me about Niche Success Blueprint, my affiliate program, an interview - or some other fabulous idea! - you can contact me here.
I look forward to hearing from you! *cheers*
About Lynn Terry
Lynn,
Great tips and observations!! Really inspiring! I played around with blogging a couple of times before getting a sense for what my sweet spot was. But I've been blogging for about 3 years. There are two things I find particularly challenging.
1) Feeling overwhelmed due to so many sources of social media influence.
2) Staying focused. (I'm constantly getting distracted.)
Congratulations, Lynn, and here's to another 10 years!
Cheers!
Scott
Overwhelm & Focus are definitely common challenges, and things we ALL face. I keep a running task list and sit down to my desk "with blinders on" and work through that list methodically. I also have daily Time Blocks set up to "tick off" to keep me moving forward across my priorities.
Social Media I do in Time Blocks. I rarely read content streams, and never during work hours - only in my free time. I focus on creating content, networking/outreach, and responses & replies during working hours. That helps a lot! 😉
I've found that getting away from the computer can often help with distractions and staying focused. 🙂
Pen and paper can help tons.
Especially when you use them to mindmap out your blog posts before you get in front of the PC.
Great post Lynn. Your story always inspires me to keep going. Thanks for sticking at it for so long 🙂
I have been blogging for 1 year and 4 months very on and off, but more recently more on.
My biggest challenge is continuing to support myself financially, while bringing to life what I really want to spend time on, which is my healing from burnout blog and biz.
I am so ready to give up my 11 year massage career and move on to where I truly want to be.
I find it such a balancing act to give to the new, will still paying the bills and working at the old. Something I know many people struggle with.
I am determined to make this work though and I am in it for the long haul 🙂
There are a lot of people setting up their online business on the side while maintaining their current job or business (and income) so you're not alone. It's a process, for sure. You might brainstorm new revenue sources to add to your online business, and ways you might cut down your hours in your current career as part of the transition... It's worth some brainstorming at least! 😉
Hey Lynn...
Really amazed at your story which I never knew! Kudos to you, Lynn... a single mother making it online and not just creeping by either! WOW... totally impressed!
Great tips! So down to earth and true... I am the "lone blogger" who needs to get into my retirement and boomers niche more. Yikes!
Thanks ever so much for the great reminders!
Thank you, Wendy - and you're welcome! 😀
I'm guessing you have ambitious goals with your niche blog for 2015, yes? 😉
Congratulations on all your success Lynn. You are such an inspiration.
Thank you, Wendy! 😀 *cheers*
Congrats! As someone with just two years of blogging under her belt, I can see what an achievement the ten year mark would be 🙂
I had no idea when I started how much was involved with blogging or how much work it would be. But, it's fun and I'm writing about something I love, feeding my family.
There's really nothing like it, is there Jennifer? I so enjoy what I do, and it's awesome to be able to say I LOVE my work! 😉 *cheers*
Lynn, I'm sure I speak for many when I say I hope you NEVER run out of things to say ! 🙂
LOL, thanks Lisa!! 😀
Congratulations on making your ten year milestone Lynn.
I especially identify with point #5 "Stop writing, Start talking" - That inviting and conversational tone is so important if we are to engage our readers.
True - the conversational writing is such an important asset to any blogger or online marketer. Including the ability to master "conversational selling". 😉
What a wonderfully inspiring post. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. It is encouraging to hear that you can start off not knowing much about blogging or writing well, but not to give up. Your tips are spot-on such as keep writing, other bloggers are not competition, and build a business and lifestyle. I'm so happy to have found your blog and look forward to more years of your posts.
Thank you, Susan! I'm so glad you found these tips helpful. 😀
I've found that the only way to get GOOD at something, is to DO it and improve as you go. 😉
Hi Lynn,
What an amazing story! From your kids, your life, and heck, congrats on being a blogger for a decade.
#2 is the truth. I tell folks that like any skill, if you practice blogging, day after day, you will absolutely rock this thing out. Write, write and write some more, and you'll find your writing style. Don't stop. Write daily. Even if you're churning out 200 words a day keep writing, because if you stop writing regularly your skills will erode.
As for #7, one thing I've learned Blogging from Paradise is this; being comfortable with being uncomfortable makes you grow like a weed. If I was sitting in my New Jersey home I'd be 5 years behind where I am now, learning curve wise.
Traveling the world for the past 40 months straight taught me to face, embrace and to learn from uncomfortable situations, and I used this same mindset to grow like a weed, blogging-wise.
Simply let your love of freedom grow stronger than your fear of doing uncomfortable stuff and your blogging success will multiply.
Signing off from Savusavu, Fiji.
Thanks Lynn for sharing. I'll tweet in a bit.
Ryan
"Blogging from Paradise" - I love it, Ryan! 😀
Congratulations on your ten years of blogging and being successful with it! I enjoy reading your blog posts and learned so much from NSB.
I'm on my 18th month of blogging. I'm a very slow writer and it would take me forever to write a simple blog post as I was always trying to write in a specific format and the words wouldn't flow. To make it worse, I thought I had to be perfect which led me to really suck at blogging (#1 above). Now I relax more and practice your tip of "Stop Writing, Start Talking". That tip has helped me a lot. Thank you for all you do!
Now, I relax more, l
There are a lot of good solutions for people that struggle with writing. I use a template to lay out all of my blog posts, which you'll find in the Niche Success Blueprint when you get to that module (if you haven't already). There's also video, and of course talking via recording programs that transcribe your audio into text for you. I say whatever makes it easier! 😉 And yes, "stop writing. start talking." is extremely helpful for those that struggle with writing. It's such a simple mindset shift, but makes a HUGE difference.
Congratulations Lynn!! Very inspiring.
I wouldn't be making any money if it wasn't for your great mentoring. Cheers to another 10 years 🙂
Thank you Jedha! I'm really looking forward to this next decade of blogging. 😉 And also to watching you continue to grow your business. You're doing an amazing job!! *cheers*
Wow! Impressive story Lynn!
I think you are one quite successful mom and I love the lifestyle .
Congratulations! I can vividly see better days ahead for you and your kids 😉
Thank you 😀
Lynn,
Congrats on the decade of blogging.
Haven't seen you blog since October of this year though, hope all is well.
Thank you Joseph! It's true I haven't been blogging much for the last few months - on either of my blogs. But I've gotten back on track this week. 😉 Meanwhile I've continued to share updates & resources via email and social media, so make sure we're connected there too! 😀
Good to see you back. 🙂
Was hoping nothing bad happened over the last few months of waiting. Lol.
"Don't try to be The Lone Blogger."
Yeah. Even the Lone Ranger had a friend. 🙂
"Stop writing, Start talking. Articles are boring. Have a conversation with your audience."
That's an interesting mindset shift. Gotta remember that one.
It's such a simple concept, but it makes a HUGE difference. 😉
Fantastic post! I been blogging since 2011 and so I built my blogging muscles for sure. I like blogging about topics that get me to keep speaking my mind because I get really passionate with my writing with the keyboard. I would say my struggle sometimes is with my content calendar because even though the way I blog is successful and has increased my household income I still get frustrated with finding these themes in the IM niche to talk about that can be limited sometimes which propels me to go outside my niche a little and write unrelated content. What do you suggest I do about this Lynn?
Hi Lynn Terry,
First of all congratulation for completing 10 years as a blogger. You have share story about your child.
Lynn you have share your experience with us always we get inspired from your blog
Thank you.